HARBOUR BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1933, Page 4

HARBOUR BOARD

The Hokitika Harbour - Board met yesterday afternoon when there were present: Messrs Jib W. Heenan, J. -A. outtauee, 1).„ i'. Stuart, \V. E. Richards, N. Warren, and M. 11. Houston; Mr. Heenan was appointed chairman!; The chairman welcomed Mr Cuttance as a new member of the Board, and Mr xiiLiuirds who had been re-appointed tor the Ross Borough. • .. It was decided that, a vote of appreciation be recorded of the ■•• services tot Mr J. J. Mclntosh,, and regret was expressed at the ruadvertant cucum,s Dances under which Mr Mclntosh did not- seek re-election. The’.minutes of the last" meeting 'Vcre confirmed.

The Returning Officer advised w pointment of three members - ..to, the * Board; the Ross Borough Council Also lioti.ying the appointment of its member. V •. ■ : •; ' An unsigned letter, was, read from a person renting section belonging to \ j the Board and asking for a reduction in - - rent. ’ .. ; ’’ / V ; _/ , The Board was able to trace tlie ap- /'ll plicant and a small reduction was made. The Land and Income‘ Department wrote requesting particulars of contracts let during the year. It was reported that the Board had let none in that time't: a;; The Doughboy Sawmillirig Co., wrote surrending its lease-> of skid site oil the Quay. ,f ■ " •<-. The signalman (Mr G, Howe), report- ■ /bp ed that the channel over the bar was still in fair condition, though the coni w 2hi tinuous rough sea du» ing the las* >i\” month had driven it/ further north than it has been during the-past year-. The average depiih during the past two weeks was between 11 and 12 feet. While attending to the beacon recently he had the misfortune to lose a boat which he had borrowed, his own being unavailable at the time. '

The Board decided to compensate the owner to the extent of • £d.

The secretary asked 1 ior a ruling on the charge of water ’supply to fisniiijg boats, instead of charging them eacn time, he thought it would be better if a definite sum were fixed each year v "

Members were of the opinion that the charge should not be with the intention of the Board making^k"profit, us fishing was a local industry; 0 The Board, however,' was the-con-venience,' and some•• charge .must'.be. made. ’• • - ' v . . 1 . '

The Board fixed the Charge’ of f£l per ’annum v for the users. Accounts amounting to £57/15/5 were passed for payment. "

The chairman said that Captain George, of Auckland ,had -visited Hokitika with the view, fof runninga R trading service between Hokitika; and y' North Island ports. He had ed Several sawmiliers and was assured; of support; The chairman added that he thought something would come of it, but Captain George had asked if some improvement could bo carried tho berthage, , ; A/---.A \ - Members approved “of Cnpttmi George’s Iproposftls, shying tHat Board shoiild encourage shipping Aybbliever possible, • ' v //u'y It was decided that a special ..meeting of the Board be held and'fEat ttiei County and Borough Councils :-be incited to participate, when the question of berthage improvement would be ccfrisidered. • / /..., Air Warren said that the best idea would, of course, be td- divert .'tu'e stream above Houston’s siding, but the cost was too prohibitive' ior " the Board’s finances, - f Mr Warren drew attention to the awkward hour at which the meetings were held, namely 4.30 p.m., members generally agreeing that jit was very inconvenient. ' - > 1 • .;• >.■ /;•< >.- _ It was decided tliat the- meetings. be held in the evening in future/. *. ' . Election of Chairman. , ; . The election of chairman for the en- hua •suing term was proceeded'with. ■k Air Houston nominated Mr Stuart’ ■ for’ the position/ Air Richards ’seconding. :: ‘

Mr Heenan said" he would like to, see Mr Houston retain the chairmanship, with all due respect to the first nomination. ’ .‘--"V .

Mr Houston said he hvould like to see the position go round, aiij for that reason he had nominated Mr Stuart; Mr Warren said that, if Mr Houston declined, the position should go to the senior member, whoever if ivas. /

The senior member was Mr Heenan, and Mr Houston, withdrawing his nomination with his nominee’s consent,, seconded, Mr Heenan’s nomination. ' .d‘V /

Mr Heenan was elected chajirmajr,. for which he thanked, the members athef assured them of his support to tlio Board and shipping interests, generally.